Man after God's own Heart

"Be a man, do the right thing" as mentioned by Russell Peters, a Canadian comedian.

Although this statement was made in the different context, but this statement really spoke to me. God has been answering my prayer as I was seeking to be a godly man, an upright man, a secured man in Christ.

Last Christmas, Huifen bought me a book titled "God's Man of Influence". The author Jim George wrote about how to be a man of influence using many biblical principles and characters like the Great Apostle Paul, faithful man of God Abraham, the faithful servant of God Moses, Daniel and even some "less mentioned" characters like Ananias who was called by God to recover Paul's sight. The act of obedience and faith is something tough but demanded by God.

I didnt read this book until lately and then I picked up another book - Man after God's own heart also authored by Jim George, then Waking the Dead and Wild at Heart by John Eldgredge on recapturing/restoring the masculine heart God has made us to possess right before the foundation of the earth was laid.

Indeed, the Lord really spoke alot to me through these 4 books.

Today is Father's Day and Pastor Jon(athan) peached on being a Godly man. Timely sermon. I was touched by God's message.

This issue was something I have been praying and pondering over these few weeks.. It's time to move on from my issues, my struggles, they are just too insignificant to take up so much of my time, it's time to be a man and do the right thing for God! Purpose-drive life, whose purpose? God's purpose la.

These months, I've been learning to be a man, without realising I am already a man, but I need to model after Jesus and the teachings of God through His Word to be not only a man but a Godly man, after God's own heart.

Trying moments, yearning for validation from men, striving for things that I've already possess - love, affirmation and acceptance... How foolish I was.. Feeling inadequate about my look, feeling inadequate about my body, feeling inadequate about myself in everything.. but that was really foolish. I know God looks not at my outer appearance but my heart.

Thanks be to Huifen who has been walking alongside with me all these years, esp now as brother and sister in Christ, covering each other in prayer and encouraging each other through the Word of God.

Yah, although it's important to ensure temple (body is the temple of the Holy Spirit) maintenance but look is secondary, be it myself or any one else, most importantly, it's our hearts yearning after God's own heart, willingness to extend Godly love to others which is more important than anything else.

Well... I'm still learning to grasp this truth. =p But I believe I am learning.. :)

I'm made to lead the welcome team for my home church's first Alpha course, Huifen and I are also praying and see if we'll be facilitating a small group during Alpha. I'm looking forward to serve God and His people, showing God's love to others and prayfully the Lord will convict hearts and lost souls to receive Him as personal Lord and Saviour. All prerogatives belong to God. Keeping praying for the Church to win souls for Jesus through Alpha and other means as the Lord leads.

Everything in this life is a molding and nurturing process, a lifelong journey, I pray that as I serve the Lord, I wouldnt neglect my walk with Him and even grow more and more intimately moment by moment, day by day, denying my flesh, taking up the cross and follow Jesus.

Dan, be a man, do the right thing.. haha.. :)

Lord, help me. Be with me. Immanuel.